Why should we cruise with Celebrity?
We asked Celebrity why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
Set sail on the vacation of a lifetime aboard one of Celebrity's award-winning cruise and river ships. The luxurious fleet merges cutting-edge technology with welcoming interiors and revolutionary venues. Discover the unrivaled luxury of The Retreat®. Experience visionary spaces, like the Magic Carpet®, that are like nothing you’ve seen before. On Celebrity's ships, you’ll cruise the world's oceans and Europe's rivers while enjoying the height of style, comfort, and service throughout your journey.
What destinations are Celebrity exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia Baltic Canada & New England Caribbean Central America & Panama Europe More...Celebrity snapshot
Total No. Cruises
Departures
Avg. cruise length
Avg. price per day (by cabin type)
No. of Ships
All-Inclusive level
Onboard currencyWho cruises with Celebrity?
Primarily couples and solo travellers, including food and wine connoisseurs and travellers who enjoy modern luxury settings.
What are Celebrity known for?
A half-acre real lawn at sea, Michelin-starred chef-curated dining, a large wine collection and the Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex.
Are Celebrity's fares all-inclusive?
No. Celebrity Cruises have pre-packaged their most popular amenities - Drinks and Wi-Fi which is a common addtion to the base fare.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Specialty dining, alcoholic and some other beverages, shore excursions, room service charges after 11pm, WiFi packages and some onboard activities require additional payment.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are included for Australian and New Zealand passengers. They are not included for North American passengers.
Are shore excursions included?
No except on Celebrity's expedition cruises onboard Celebrity Flora.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Charges apply unless Celebrity's Drinks & WiFi All Included Package is selected
Does Celebrity have a loyalty program?
Yes. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Azamara offer reciprocal benefits to members enrolled in their loyalty programs.
Is Celebrity a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. Children are accepted from 6 months, or 12 months on select cruises, with dedicated programs and facilities available. Expedition ships have some service limitations.
Are any onboard activities included?
Enrichment programs such as guest lectures and some onboard classes, with art and technology classes available on select ships. Most onboard activities and entertainment are included.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes, except on Celebrity Flora
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Yes. Charges apply for activities such as glassblowing and mixology classes; some specialised training programs and occasional special entertainment may also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Celebrity's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available and charges apply.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Yes. Juice, water, tea and coffee are available at stations across the ship, with select soft drinks at meals.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No except on Celebrity's expedition cruises onboard Celebrity Flora.
Do Celebrity sell any beverage packages?
Yes, Celebrity Cruises have pre-packaged their most popular amenities - Drinks and Wi-Fi - one price, all included.
Do Celebrity offer room service?
Yes. Available 24/7, with a late-night fee applying.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available and charges apply. Celebrity Flora offers smaller spa facilities.
Are there gyms onboard Celebrity's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Celebrity's ships?
Yes. Group fitness classes are included complimentary, although some specialised training programs may incur additional charges.
Do Celebrity offer personal training?
Yes. Charges apply. Not avaialble on Celebrity Flora
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do Celebrity offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent Celebrity reviews
Thank you Grace for looking after us we would recommend Grace as a travel agent nothing was to much bother and responses to our questions were always timely.
Celebrity's most popular trips this month...
Why should we cruise with Royal Caribbean?
We asked Royal Caribbean why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
Royal Caribbean International is known for driving innovation at sea and has continuously redefined cruise holidays since its launch in 1969. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel and pushes the envelope of what is possible on a cruise ship. Onboard, the global cruise line has debuted countless industry 'firsts' – such as rock climbing, ice skating and surfing at sea – to capture the imagination of families and adventurous holiday-makers alike. Throughout, guests sail on exciting itineraries to some of the world’s most-popular read more destinations and enjoy Royal Caribbean’s friendly and engaging service.
What destinations are Royal Caribbean exploring this season?
Alaska Asia Australia Canada & New England Caribbean Central America Europe & Med Greek Islands More...Royal Caribbean snapshot
Total No. CruisesDeparturesAvg. cruise lengthAvg. price per day (by cabin type)No. of ShipsAll-Inclusive levelOnboard currencyWho cruises with Royal Caribbean?
Families and couples, including semi-retired and retired travellers.
What are Royal Caribbean known for?
Entertainment-packed ships, state-of-the-art onboard experiences and thrills.
Are Royal Caribbean's fares all-inclusive?
No.
What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?
Budget for alcoholic beverages, WiFi, specialty dining, shore excursions and selected onboard activities or experiences.
Are gratuities included?
Yes for Australian and New Zealand guests only.
Are shore excursions included?
No.
Is there WiFi on board?
Yes. Charges apply.
Does Royal Caribbean have a loyalty program?
Yes. Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Azamara offer reciprocal benefits to members enrolled in their loyalty programs.
Is Royal Caribbean a family friendly cruise-line?
Yes. Royal Caribbean is a genuinely family-friendly cruise line with comprehensive children’s programs and facilities for families, including accommodation for large groups.
Are any onboard activities included?
Sports courts, rock-climbing walls, waterslides, surf riders, language, dance and craft classes, select onboard thrills, skydiving simulators, observation capsules and on some ships - games spaces and ice-skating rinks. Activities vary by ship.
Are there casinos on board your ships?
Yes.
Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?
Specialty onboard seminars may incur a charge. Video arcade games incur a fee, and some onboard thrills may offer only one complimentary use. Some themed dinners and in-suite movies also cost extra.
Are there specialty restaurants on board Royal Caribbean's ships?
Yes. Specialty restaurants are available; charges apply and the range may differ between ships.
Are there dining packages for purchase?
Yes.
Are non-alcoholic beverages included?
Basic non-alcoholic drinks are included for free in your cruise fare, but specialty non-alcoholic beverages like soda, mocktails, and premium coffee cost extra unless you buy a drink package.
Are alcoholic beverages included?
No. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased.
Do Royal Caribbean sell any beverage packages?
Yes. Packages are available for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
Do Royal Caribbean offer room service?
Yes. A convenience charge applies to each order except continental breakfast items. Grand Suites and higher categories do not pay the convenience fee.
Are spa and salon services available?
Yes. Spa and salon services are available and charges apply.
Are there gyms onboard Royal Caribbean's ships?
Yes.
Are fitness classes available onboard Royal Caribbean's ships?
Yes. Group fitness classes are complimentary, although selected special training classes may incur additional charges.
Do Royal Caribbean offer personal training?
Yes. Charges apply.
Are there self-service laundry facilities?
No.
Do Royal Caribbean offer a laundry service?
Yes. Charges apply.
Recent Royal Caribbean reviews
As happens, Mother Nature rules, so we had to miss Napier, but stops including Picton (South Island), Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands were great. Entertainment and other activities were terrific, especially the stage show “We Will Rock You”.
I would thoroughly recommend a cruise on Royal Caribbean and be sure to use Global Journeys.
Royal Caribbean's most popular trips this month...
The Verdict - Celebrity Cruises vs Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean are both part of Royal Caribbean Group, but they offer quite different cruise experiences. Celebrity sits in the premium market, with a more refined atmosphere, sophisticated dining and a greater focus on relaxation, while Royal Caribbean is a contemporary line built around family cruising, entertainment and some of the biggest onboard attractions at sea.
Which ships will suit me best?
Royal Caribbean has a much larger fleet and considerably more variety between ships, from smaller, more traditional vessels to the enormous Oasis and Icon Class ships packed with waterparks, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, ice skating, entertainment precincts and family attractions. Celebrity’s ships are generally more sophisticated and relaxed, with innovations such as the Lawn Club on Solstice Class ships and the Magic Carpet on Edge Series ships. If you want non-stop activities and big-ticket attractions, Royal is the obvious fit; Celebrity tends to appeal more to those who want modern design, good food and more space to simply relax.
Which is better for families?
Both welcome families and offer dedicated kids and teen programs, but Royal Caribbean places far more emphasis on family cruising. Its Adventure Ocean program caters for different age groups and, depending on the ship, families can enjoy waterparks, slides, surf simulators, bumper cars, climbing walls and extensive family accommodation. Celebrity’s Camp at Sea offers organised activities for children and teens, but its pools, public spaces and overall atmosphere are generally geared more towards couples and adults. If family facilities are a priority, particularly on the newer ships, Royal offers considerably more.
Which is better for couples?
Both attract plenty of couples, so this really comes down to how you want to spend your time onboard. Celebrity places more emphasis on dining, wine, relaxation and stylish adult spaces, while Royal gives couples far more high-energy activities and entertainment to choose from. Both have adults-only Solariums on many ships, but Celebrity generally feels calmer around the pool deck, while Royal suits couples who like plenty happening around them throughout the day and evening.
What about solo cruisers?
Both lines now offer solo accommodation on selected ships, although availability varies considerably by ship and sailing. Royal offers dedicated single-occupancy cabins on selected Quantum and Oasis Class ships, while Celebrity also has solo staterooms on some of its newer ships. They can save you from paying a full double-occupancy fare, but they’re limited in number, so solo travellers will generally want to book early.
Which line has the most onboard innovation?
Both continue to push ship design forward, but in very different ways. Royal Caribbean focuses on headline attractions such as surf and skydiving simulators, waterparks, bumper cars, the North Star observation capsule and enormous neighbourhood-style spaces aboard its newest ships. Celebrity’s innovations are generally more design-led, including real grass lawns, the Magic Carpet and dramatic spaces such as Eden. In simple terms, Royal’s innovation is more about action and entertainment, while Celebrity’s tends to focus on design, dining and atmosphere.
Which offers better value?
Neither line is all-inclusive, with specialty dining, shore excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi and other extras potentially adding to your cruise cost. Celebrity offers an All Included fare that bundles a Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi, while Royal generally lets you add beverage, dining and Wi-Fi packages separately. Base Royal fares can often look cheaper, but the best value depends on the ship, sailing and what you’ll actually use onboard, so it’s worth comparing the total cost rather than just the initial cruise fare.
Which has the better itineraries?
Royal Caribbean’s much larger fleet gives you considerably more sailings and ships to choose from across destinations such as the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. Its Caribbean program is particularly strong and many itineraries visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal’s private destination in The Bahamas. Celebrity also cruises extensively around the world, often with more emphasis on longer stays and destination immersion, and offers a completely different all-inclusive expedition experience in the Galápagos aboard the 100-guest Celebrity Flora. For most mainstream destinations there is plenty of crossover, so the onboard experience will probably be the bigger deciding factor.
